JENNIFER McNEILLIE, UNSW

JENNIFER is from Ayrshire in Scotland. She’s currently at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, studying for a Masters in Physics

"I got here in February 2007. I didn’t know a soul in Australia so wasn’t met by anyone at the airport. When I arrived it was very humid and all I remember is being desperate for a shower – I’d left home 30 hours ago. Fortunately my destination was only 20 minutes from the airport.

"I remember being really excited about finally being in Sydney and trying not to smile too much in case the cab driver thought I was weird.

"I didn’t feel homesick as such, but I do remember wondering how long it’d be before I’d be able to chat to someone properly, as I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t have to wait long though – I went to buy an Australian mobile within an hour of arriving and had to wait for a while in the phone shop. Some random students just started talking to me, which reassured me everything would be alright.

"I felt settled within a week of arriving and have taken to Sydney like a duck to water. I’ve noticed so many British qualities, in particular in some of the language Australians use. I’d hear expressions that British people use and it’d made me turn around and think, ‘hey, that’s what we say!

"I am doing a particularly demanding course at UNSW, a Masters in Physics. The course is more or less what I expected and the teaching methods are more or less the same to European teaching styles, but I think the workload has been a lot more than I anticipated. Overall I’m enjoying my course very much, although I have to do a couple of engineering courses that I’ve found difficult because my undergraduate degree was in physics and astronomy. The biggest thing for me was realising that I am very much in the minority because I am the only female on my course!

"I’m currently living in a suburb of Sydney called Randwick. It’s only a 15-minute walk from the University and 15 minutes from Coogee Beach. I’m living in a very old house with four other people. Two are students and the other two work full-time. I’m very happy with my accommodation – it’s cheap and spacious even though it isn’t luxurious and it’s old. It’s in a busy area of Randwick so there are plenty of restaurants and shops close by. It took me about three weeks to find – I looked at about seven other places and this was the only place that I felt really happy with. The International Students Services office at UNSW helped me find it from their listings, and also recommended websites to check.

"When I’m not studying I usually meet up with friends and we might go out for dinner and then see a movie. Sometimes we get together and drink wine and play cards. There’s plenty to do in Sydney. My friends here are a real mix of nationalities – Indian, American, Pakistani, Australian, Norwegian and New Zealand. I’ve found it very easy to make friends, but only because I joined the International Student’s Society. I met lots of people and everyone was friendly because we were all in the same position; new country, new culture and not knowing anyone.

"What advice would I give someone thinking of studying in Australia or New Zealand? Make sure you have enough money! Financial security is a big must if you’re not in your own country with someone to bail you out. The cost of living in Sydney is cheaper than the UK, but only by about 25 per cent. I’d also recommend joining a club or society, it’s the best way to make friends. If I didn’t have my new friends I think I would have gone back home by now – it can get lonely, being in a place without your family. Third, get a part time job if you have the time – it’s another way to meet people, to understand the Australian way of life and it’s a good way of venting your energy instead of just studying and sleeping. I’ve found my course quite stressful at times so it’s good to go to work and not think about it occasionally.

Top three things about studying
It gives you great confidence; it prepares you better for the real world and I think that if you are unsure about what you want to do with your degree or life in general then you’ll probably find that you gain more focus and direction simply by going overseas to study. 
Three things you most miss about home?
Not having a decent washing machine! Good European wine – it’s very difficult to find imported wine in Sydney. And I really miss having central heating in the winter! 
Anything else you think people should know?
Yes – Australia gets really cold in the winter. I can only speak for Sydney, but hardly any of the houses seem to have proper insulation or central heating. So if you’re coming to study for more than a year or you’ll be here for the winter term (July to November) bring winter clothes.